Fees and charges announced for Mackay ARC

Access to either the athletics or the aquatics facilities will cost residents $5 for a casual visit, or $90 for a 20-visit pass ($4.50 per visit).

The schedule of fees and charges was approved at an ordinary meeting of council today.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council had worked closely with lessee Belgravia Leisure to produce a comprehensive and fair price list.

“Casual entry prices run from three dollars for children under 16, four dollars for concession card holders and five dollars for adults,” Cr Williamson said.

“Multiple-visit and season passes are also available, as are exercise passes which allow you to use both the track and pool at a discounted price,” he said.

“Facility hire is also extremely flexible – whether you want to hire a whole pool or a single lane of the athletics track, there will be an option to suit you.”

“What’s great about this facility is the options available to cater for events – lighting, a kiosk, overflow parking and multipurpose rooms are all available for hosts.”

Cr Williamson said there had been some confusion about just who could use the Mackay ARC.

“Let’s be quite clear. This is a public facility,’’ he said.

“While it is a competition-standard facility, it also caters for everything from casual visits for exercise and cooling off, to learn-to-swim and aqua-aerobics classes.”

The Mackay ARC contains covered, heated and FINA-approved aquatics facilities and IAAF Class 2 athletics facility with synthetic running track and playing field.

This includes covered and heated 15m and 25m pools and a temperature-controlled 50m, 10-lane pool.  The athletics facility contains a synthetic running track and facilities to cater for most athletic disciplines, as well as a multi-use playing field.

This $23.9 million facility was co-funded by council and the Federal Government with the 12-hectare site contributed by CQUniversity via a long-term lease agreement.